Bodycam shows moments leading to fatal shooting of US airman by deputy

A Florida sheriff released body camera video Thursday showing a deputy outside an apartment door and firing immediately when it was opened by a Black man carrying a handgun pointed downward, a killing the family denounced as “unjustifiable.”
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden presented the video hours after the family of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson and their attorneys held a news conference in which they disputed that the deputy acted in self-defense. Aden rejected assertions made by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortson's family, that the deputy had gone to the wrong apartment, covered the door's peephole and did not announce himself.
The video shows the deputy arriving at a Fort Walton Beach apartment building on May 3 and speaking to a woman outside who described someone hearing an argument. The deputy then went up an elevator and walked down an outdoor hallway.
The video shows the deputy banging on the door and stepping aside, seemingly out of view of the door. Twice he shouted: “Sheriff’s office! Open the door!”
Fortson opened the door and could be seen holding what appeared to be a handgun pointed down toward the floor. The deputy shouted, “Step back!” and fired off shots. He then shouted, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!”
(Photo: U.S. Air Force / AP & Bodycam screenshot from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office)
More Here: www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/p...
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More Here: www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/police-brutality/body-camera-video-shows-fatal-shooting-of-black-airman-by-florida-deputy-in-apartment-doorway

[@Zenny89]

No one is more dangerous than a scared police officer.

[@darryljones6129]

They need to investigate this Karen who gave the police false information

[@dmarrmilton1991]

Ameen & she shall be sentenced to life , too ... Ameen... JUSTICE IS NEEDED FOR THE AIRMAN

[@skillz1855]

She's a liar and he's a cold blooded killer

[@nismofury]

This is the same sheriff's office that had a deputy spooked by an acorn rolling on the ground yelling shots fired and him and his partner lit up the patrol car with a handcuffed person in the car.

[@Matt-xc6sp]

Big if true

[@grey1735]

Your argument is irrelevant.

[@Alarik52]

@@grey1735 Taxpayers pay anyway - no changes expected.

[@Matt-xc6sp]

@@grey1735 he didn’t make an argument Reddit fartsniffer.

[@doomk714]

​@@Matt-xc6spIt's true: Okaloosa County

[@tipsandtricks6071]

Whenever you see a Karen and a cop working together, you already know somebody's going to have their rights violated or life taken.

[@pamelagodfrey2964]

Exactly that's how they set people up by using Karens

[@pamelagodfrey2964]

KZbin please don't violate my freedom of speech, it's a set up the Karen's work for the police

[@pamelagodfrey2964]

Karen's work for cops

[@pamelagodfrey2964]

KZbin violating my amendment rights to freedom if speech, but I know why

[@thesecretaryofcommonsense3851]

😭😭😠🤬🤬🤬sad, but true

[@shadowbanned-iq4fl]

Karen should have minded her own business.

[@CountChokcula]

She's the reason why this innocent man is dead.

[@chemdawg_millionaire]

As all karens should

[@TroIIingThemSoftly]

There's no way he could have verified it was a police officer since the officer intentionally ducked outside the view of the peephole. Inexcusable.

[@cheeseburrito1935]

The officer announced himself. Clearly , unfortunate accident. Videos like these create division.

[@TroIIingThemSoftly]

@@cheeseburrito1935 So what's to stop someone who isn't a police officer from saying they are to get you to open the door? Do you even think?

[@BoydenJason]

@@cheeseburrito1935 anyone can announce they are police officers. Trust but verify.

[@wadeokaysguitar]

@@cheeseburrito1935 Knock knock. I’m a cop. Now believe that because I announced it.

[@JrKnomes]

He ducked bc he instantly saw the gun u doof

[@dudex233]

police are too trigger happy here in the US

[@72marshflower15]

The gun they carry seems to usurp the right of due process.

Not to smart are you dudex

[@thefinerbs7157]

So are young black men. 6% of the population commit 50% of the murders. Yet I don't see story after story of gun happy black men

[@turner3951]

It's not "too" smart. Maybe learn the difference before you try to call somebody dumb.

[@Beetwate305]

The same people that claim to be soooooo for the second amendment, are the same people that’s soooo afraid of guns!!! Welcome to America! On another note! I wish you FBA folks would stop with this nonsense. A cop doesn’t stop and ask “are you FBA or non-FBA” before he shoots a black person.

[@DSTREETMEDIA]

Wow that Karen got that man killed !!!

[@Greatdayforaswellbattle]

Nah. She didn’t.

[@deepeye9044]

Always a KAREN telling

[@glendasullivan7633]

That Part?!!???!!!!!

[@masterBong1]

EXACTLY, she NEEDS to be arrested.

[@marcusmoody6148]

And she gave them the wrong apartment number.. smh.. wow

[@niceguy1308]

you beat me to that comment

[@freshcofreshco9811]

She got that black dude killed because she don't know how to mind her business

[@jspotdot]

I can’t imagine being a black male in America, you get killed for answering the door???? Yes he had a gun, which he LEGALLY has the right to in his private residence. This is sickening.

[@aljones9052]

I can’t imagine being so paranoid you have to open the door with the gun

[@flowersandcandy]

​@aljones9052 stop making excuses

[@matthancock952]

​@@flowersandcandyhe was beating his girl so the to cop he was capable of violence

[@flowersandcandy]

@@matthancock952 Ok... yeah right

[@dmarrmilton1991]

This is what we go through dealing with law enforcement & karens

[@Naldo_S1K]

Blocks the peephole. Steps to the side to not be seen. Citizen has legally owned firearm down to the side with his hand up. Officer shoots within 2 seconds. "Feared for his life. Not guilty."

[@Dosman9]

you step to ye side so if someone shoots at the door you don't die.

[@lamarcoupe]

​@@Dosman9 And you hold a gun when someone bangs on your door blocking the peephole a d doesn't announce themselves. Let the officers try that with you.

[@Freyja123]

​@lamarcoupe so you hear an officer yell police open up, and decide to open the door with a gun in hand? Wrong move.

[@classiccuneyt]

@@Freyja123 you act like criminals can’t pretend to be cops and say police open & hide after….the cop was an idiot in this situation the man can legally carry a gun the cop not showin himself shows he wanted blood

[@lamarcoupe]

@Freyja123 no evidence that he heard him say it when they said he was on the phone. You don't announce once, and you don't shoot when the gun wasn't pointed at the officer. You say "hands up," but don't you worry, he'll be found cleared like they always do.

[@darryljones6129]

This saddens me deeply, as an Air Force veteran.

[@machsimillian14]

Thank you for reporting ethically on this issue. Other organizations are cutting the video to report more favorably on the actions of the police.

Okay Karen

[@machsimillian14]

That's literally not what a Karen is. But seeing how people like you like to coopt phrases and words and use them out of context in order to render them worthless, it's not surprising that you're making the comment that you are.

[@joachimgoethe7864]

Call the police. . . What would go wrong?

[@grey1735]

Would you have a gun in your hand, and open your door to a Deputy who's doing an investigation?

[@Matt-xc6sp]

@@grey1735 Would you shoot someone who is simply holding a gun in their own home?

[@grey1735]

@@Matt-xc6sp You like having your way via the internet, don't you? (Because you don't like conversations that happen outside of your own mind space?) Are you maybe a controlling individual? I see what you're doing... You turned the question back on me, because apparently Matt has an attitude with the events that played out in the video? Are you making the rules up in your own head via how you view the police, and the offender who had a gun in his hand, and apparently knew that the police were outside of his door? Go ahead, you want to orchestrate this debate, right? What say you Matt?

[@Matt-xc6sp]

@@grey1735 I left reddit so I didn’t have to deal with comments like this.

[@grey1735]

@@Matt-xc6sp Go look at my comment again.

[@hubster4477]

Old adage still holds true, dont open the door.

[@donavan370z9]

The nosey neighbor could have it all wrong. The things she claim that she heard. Yelling and profanity. He might have been doing it while playing his video game. Sometimes when you are wearing headphones, you don't know how loud you are.

[@CountChokcula]

The nosey neighbor got an innocent man killed. He more than likely was on the game with his friends.

[@kic.7679]

They got the WRONG APARTMENT. It wasn’t anything he was doing. He was on FaceTime minding his business.

[@TwstedTV]

Very very true. I do it all the time, my family always have to tell me that I am speaking loudly because I have a game and background music in my headphones. But here is another thing you might have missed. THIS was the wrong apartment.

[@My2CentsYall]

After seeing the video the young man had more gun control than the officer.

[@betsycruz4431]

This woman wasn't even the 911 caller. And there are reports stating that the deputy was at the wrong apartment. The deputy didn't announce himself on the 1st knock and covers peep hole. Knocks a 2nd time and then announced himself and steps aside. This tragedy sickens me of how this deputy didn't even give this poor young man a chance to follow his orders and open fires 6xs not once but 6. Smh

[@jemsthinkgrowrich6084]

So we cant have an arugment anymore? 😢 what a sad situation

[@anthonyervin8304]

He could have been playing a video game with the headphones on. You talk louder when you get hyped playing.

[@misspuppa]

If you want a hit man just call police !

[@justified9537]

Police didn't identify himself, he said he was a police but avoided showing himself, THAT IS NOT IDENTIFING YOURSELF! You must be seen to show who you really are, anyone can yell "I'm a police." The airman had a legal fire arm in his apartment in FL, know the law, he was well within his right to do all those thing and answer the door with it in hand. That pig had no right dodging out the peep hole and being shady, and shouldn't have even come with that level of aggression or a gun drawn for an unconfirmed report of an argument. The amount of stupidity between these unqualified cops and the ppl who support them is insane.

[@grey1735]

Would you answer your door with a weapon in hand, to talk to a Deputy sir?

[@grey1735]

Sir, would you answer your door with a gun in your hand, to ask the Deputy what's going on?

[@TwstedTV]

That's true, I watched a news segment how 2 suspects were knocking on someone's door yelling they were police. Little did these 2 punk kids armed with weapons knew that the homeowner had camera's and was watching them the whole time. You are correct that if a police officer is at someone's door, by law they MUST be in full uniform and show themselves when yelling they are police. In NYC, I know for a fact that when a police officer knocks on someone's door and yell Police, and the homeowner or apt dweller looks through the peephole, they MUST clearly see officers in Uniform and if you can, look out the window to see if there are police vehicles with lights on. If NOT, then call 911 immediately and report it. To verify, police are supposed to be there.

[@user-wv4pw5bn7j]

This was done deliberately, the soldier compiled with the officers command and yet the cop still murdered him.

[@Greatdayforaswellbattle]

Delusions.

[@rogeralvarado6060]

Cop was trigger happy

[@theoneandonly676]

He was primed by the Lady "who" heard loud noises coming from his apartment.

[@sharjinalaviantik9688]

I don't understand why us police is given this freedom of shooting immediately without any question, warning or anything? In us majority owns guns so someone weilding a gun is also very common sigh so it shouldn't trigger any rapid reaction. In my country nobody owns guns and even if someone does this (like this guy) police don't go blindly blasting in his face.

[@minnermin]

It’s called cowardice

[@mmor5369]

You must be a police officer too .

[@minnermin]

@@mmor5369 doesn’t seem it just seems confused on why USA police are terrible

[@tammydrummond6042]

6 shots....for coming to your door with a gun....the young guy had his hand up with the gun down....not pointing at the officer...😢

[@a..c..2469]

That couldve been handled differently for sure, i hate this for his parents because losing a child is the worst kind of pain but to have it happen in this way multiplies the pain

[@zeektv8435]

She should spend the rest of her life in jail. along with the cop

[@shyodu2]

If the neighbor heard them in there arguing and fighting, but when the police got there it was just 1 person in the apartment. How does that make any sense hearing them (multiple people) arguing? Plus she said it sounds like it was getting out of hand. What did she hear?

[@kevind1980]

He was watching Casino.

[@Freyja123]

That's what we don't know, in sure there's more to this story Thabo being told by the media.

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

He was playing a video game and/or on FaceTime with his girlfriend according to reports.

[@Chris-Watts-Bih]

She Was GangStalking That Dude & Probably Always Near His Apartment Door Area ~ These GangStalkers Are Extremely Nosey & Lie Just 2Cause Any Blk Men Trouble Or Get Them UnAlived

[@masterBong1]

Arrest the KAREN!

[@lomaxmom3358]

That poor man. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[@frederickjones4307]

Is the airforce battles just gonna let this ride???

[@mariokajin]

What a warming feeling is when you know that there’s the police to protect you. /S

[@user-sq4hi4yc6m]

Why is the burden on us as citizens to make cops feel safe? That is so backwards.

[@_Just_V_]

Criminals everywhere: Let’s just say we’re cops when we want access to a house 🤣

[@glendasullivan7633]

I’m so furious, disgusted and hurt. I’m just hurt.

[@Mr.Ali2577]

That lady need to be charged too!

[@sandmasterflex]

Same Sheriff's departments that brought the cop shooting a 22 times into his own squad car because of an acron. This department has a trigger happy issue.

[@JodyM2]

Massad Ayoob says don't answer the door

[@markfcoble]

Two groups I avoid.

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

U.S. Airmen & Police? Or Karens & Police? Or U.S. Airmen & Karens?

[@worldtraveler3560]

​@@ShabazztheGreaterTaker Karens and Police

[@Chris-Watts-Bih]

Like A Skilled Ninja Should ~ Karen's Popo & BetaBrad's 2

[@pastlives8420]

I walk around saying stuff like that all the time and I live alone.

[@bikerchic2003]

This young man and amazing Airmen lived in a less-than-safe neighborhood. Of course, he answered the door with a weapon. Someone is beating your door, stating their police, but anyone can say that. He had a lowered gun, and the officer was not in immediate danger. Less than 2 seconds after the door later, the deputy put six rounds in that young man. This is a senseless tragedy by a member of our USAF.

[@TwstedTV]

If you have someone BANGING on the door yelling they are police BUT YET covers up the peephole to prevent the apartment dweller to see if that is the case. So rightfully so the apartment dweller has his handgun as by law in Florida under Castle laws and Stand Your Ground Laws to protect himself. Police then immediately shoots the apartment dweller without giving the person a chance to comply with police, and now the service member is gone. This officer should be fired.

[@timperdue9451]

No evidence anyone covered the peephole. Let's look back on the Ferguson case and compare all the accusations that were proven false after a federal investigation. Some people still reference the "Hands up, don't shoot" narrative that was debunked.

[@FREEDOMNOW33]

People have a LAWFUL right to have a firearm on them . If police don't like it tough luck . The 2nd says we have every right . People seem to forget that the Constitution is the highest law in America over State , County , City laws or policies .

[@s.maverickharrisonii6019]

Even in uniform we are being executed not even given a chance to show that WE can and will COMPLY. WE feel for this family.

[@dmarrmilton1991]

He shall be sentenced for life in a " Gladiator farm." Justice is needed ! 💯

[@Pascal9004]

Why did the airman open the door with the gun? A cop shows up at your door, knocks three times and you open the door with a gun in your hand?

[@ashfakulislam2110]

That public servant was clapping the door and sneaking side of that door he has to be front of that door not sneaking around.

[@dedricbullock5567]

You are trained to go to war in the military we always open the door with a gun, as I served myself I would know (US Air Force Combat Veteran)

[@Pascal9004]

@@dedricbullock5567 but he was not at war. He was back at home, where being black with a gun is dangerous.

[@user-lq5gc1nr9g]

Make no sense.

[@caintindal1671]

This cop is in trouble because the airmen had his gun by his side sorry but he should be charged. Knowing that every one in Amerca can have a gun does mean you shoot them. Better have a good lawyer.

[@TeteWhite]

Hope family gets justice

[@user-xi8tt9rb2y]

If the lady walked by and heard a sound she could define as a slap she would definetely know the unit where "THE SLAP" took place. Her conversation with the officer is very flawed or intentionally misleading. Examples: she heard the distubance, called police, didnt know the unit but gave 1401, said a lady called very scared and obviously the two pieces of info you would definitely take would be the callers name and unit number to get her help ASAP.

[@bjmccann1]

So many people in the comments saying that the deputy identified himself and the airman shouldn't have come to the door with a pistol in his hand. The deputy banged on the door, said, "Open up. Police!" Then he stepped out of view of the peephole. How does that identify him as the police? Criminals have been known to do the same thing, only to rush through the door when the victim opens it.

[@Greatdayforaswellbattle]

Unless he had some concern for a criminal doing that to him or he knew he had someone who may be after him there is no excuse to open the door with a gun in your hand. It never EVER goes well. Get a grip

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

I ran a youth door-to-door sales crew and homeowners often came to the door with handguns, not knowing for sure who was knocking on their doors.

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

Even with our 2nd Amendment Rights and as patriots serving this country, we as Blacks are still seen as thugs and threats. We do not get the benefit of the doubt.

[@Greatdayforaswellbattle]

@@ShabazztheGreaterTaker if someone is banging on your door identifying themselves verbally as law enforcement it's never a good choice to answer with your firearm drawn. I'm hearing a bunch of excuses, and this is not about race, don't make it about that. the situation would have been the same had a white man opened the door with a firearm in his hand. people are always acting like leos are racist. No. their training doesn't include identifying a higher threat of black vs white.

[@g41133]

Well, he just made his parents rich🙄

[@tikkiwms2970]

She didn't call, yes that's not right 😮😮😮😮

[@JeffSherlock]

It is all a matter of whether or not the young man raised the gun. If he did not, then it was not a legal and justified shooting.

[@jae3101]

Correct.

[@pepesilvia3573]

If you watch the video he clearly doesn't

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

Watch the video. He caught 6 shots without raising his weapon (2nd Amendment Rights...Legal carry...U S. Airman in his own home).

[@jbmlk]

even when the cop pulled his gun up he only raised his hand in defense

[@checkurselfool7016]

Why would a police officer show up at your house for something that happened two weeks ago ?and if she did not call the police then who did? Do him a favor and stand out there huh?

[@keithsergent2539]

Well, that's terrifying.

[@justus3321]

She needs to be charged also!!

[@REPSDirect]

Even after the family wins tte huge lawsuit, lethal cop behavior will not stop because the public allows it.

[@MusicAndReading]

This is ridiculous

[@prayalways]

Very SAD and makes me think how are the officers trained?

[@AukeSlotegraaf]

Beyond sad. Don't they know how to properly train police officers? Well done, America.

[@Robert-dn4yp]

Do a thorough investigation on the girl!!!😮

[@oo7-ro6bu]

Happens all the time. But never on the news.

[@Hollyweirdification]

Airforce Senior Airman huh? What did that have to do with him coming to the door with a firearm? The officer yelled out twice Sheriff's Department.

[@pannsplanet68]

He retrieved his fire arm Because the police officer stepped out of view of the peep hole...just because someone yells "police" doesn't mean they're the police... people have been robbed and killed by this very act..it's called a "home-invasion"...

[@user-bi7wt5tx4u]

Sue police department

[@Qboyz]

Due to the severity and outcome the witness needs interrogated as well as the officer. As for avoiding line of site when responding to a potential DV that is typical training 101. Only enhanced training would have saved this man’s life as the lack of training caused this outcome. Everything seamed rushed which happens when adrenaline takes charge. Sad for this young man and his family!

[@michaelhawkes6492]

Man Ben Crump must be stiff behind that Podium getting this easy situation to talk about. That family is about to have an easy lawsuit to file as well.

[@martymontana7802]

The lady that called the cops should be arrested. How is she repeating a story go 2 weeks ago to the officers? 😂 now that’s privilege

[@CaliGirlJade]

Reason why I respect the military and the army, etc., but not the police, they’re poorly trained and almost have no discipline. You can tell this airman had way more discipline than this officer did just by answering the door with the gun pointed down.

[@samuelgomezmartinez5257]

Sad

[@alphoj]

Already had gun trained on the Airman as the door opened! Why this for a noise complaint???

[@CarterGoHam]

Throw him under the jail !!! Not acceptable

[@ikechukwuogbu9306]

Holding a gun pointing downwards in your own house, with the other hand motioning for the “officer” to wait, and is shot 6x! This is hilarious. This is not how they portrayed the U. S. police when i watched SWAT, Hawaii 5'0, etc.

[@millylove1252]

How was this even probable cause to even knock on this young man's door, just because she claims she heard something 2 weeks ago and there was complete silence when the cop was outside of the apartment. Another successful set up by a Karen.

[@mikemoore2943]

The sheriff's not getting my votes

[@greenturftv917]

This is what happened when you deploy an incompetent and coward officer's,taking decisions without second thought, this is disgusting 😢.Whoever trained these types of cops should be called to answer some questions.

[@winsomemartinez]

And in other extremely shocking news, today is Friday.

[@jolee6531]

Sickening.

[@rudolphsales8261]

Did they find the other person who He was Arguing with ?

[@pita3908]

this police deputy needs to go to prison for life!

[@markusshelby3436]

If the man a u s government property , shouldn't they go after the police department for their loss of money

[@user-tm3nr1qc2n]

Sue the police and karen

[@user-sh3fp9od2o]

Why didn't the officer stay near the door instead of not being able to see by the marine officer if the officer had been in view of the door the marine would have notice the deputy and the situation would be different

[@MrBrownnn696]

I blame the Governor he wanted too hire a bunch new cops I hope these cops were not A NEW HIRE !!!!!!! If so how many times he was fired ????? From other police stations?????

[@lauriecarroll9899]

Wasn’t the police officer on the wrong floor. The third instead of the fourth.

[@StormyMonday0896]

Karen gets someone killed?

[@theuncensoredaboriginal]

She said fourth floor and he gets off on the the 3rd floor 🤷🏿 I also see Scripps skipped over that vital information

[@anonymousanonymous2480]

What I dislike about KZbin is that we the ones who re-state verbal content that goes against their own community policies from the people who post videos and whom have a lot subscribers to their channel get taken down when the verbal content from KZbinrs shouldn’t be allowed to be posted in the first place. KZbin aren’t following their community guidelines or apply only to some. What a joke.

[@ShabazztheGreaterTaker]

EXACTLY!!!

[@citasmoothy8444]

But why would you knock on the door and then hide on the side and he didn't even give the guy a chance to explain he holding his hands up as to explain wait a minute and he just keeps firing

[@StrangerfromEarth1]

Why was the officer standing to the side so he couldn't be seen? The officer overreacted and shouldn't have shot him. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with this simply because he's a police officer. Of course, he even seems to have _wanted_ there to be a confrontation.

[@Bigmoney333]

This almost happen to me in Jacksonville while I was in the navy

[@bajasam1]

That cop need to be prosecuted.

[@profoundclarity8497]

they hire anyone as cops anymore ...

[@strikezero01]

what's more disturbing its like his pranking him or taunting him, why deputy knock the door then hides like doing those tik tok door prank challenge, Its obvious he'll get agitated for the 3rd time then draw his gun.

[@grey1735]

Why would anyone have a gun in their hand, when opening up an apartment door to a police officer? Here's my question, why was a service member, armed with a gun in the same apartment he was living in? (Because if he felt like his life was in danger, he could have called the police for help?) What motive did the service member have, to be armed with a gun? It would appear that the service member, got himself into trouble via his own choice?

[@wandaandrease]

Sooo, a Karen called police

[@checkurselfool7016]

But there wasn't a woman there the man was there by himself.

[@johnnichols9940]

The deputy is lucky he had that body-cam on cause I didn’t see no door burst open , you can see the gun in the hand, u can hear the deputy announce himself twice as a deputy sheriff, I didn’t see the deputy burst into the apartment , the way it was reported It made you think the deputy opened the door and ran into the apartment. Also who was the person telling the deputy to go to apartment 1401 ?